New guy having I/O in 2 days

[Andrew82]

Hi everyone. Glad to have found this community.

I'm having an orchiectomy on Wednesday, and I'm a little overwhelmed with all this, but trying to stay positive. I felt healthy 7 days ago. I'm 35.

I went to the doctor Tuesday Feb. 27, a couple hours after some pain in my testicle started and worsened. They sent me right over for an ultrasound which revealed two hard masses, and I was referred to a urologist. He certainly did me no favors pain-wise, but after a blood test, he said (on Friday) that he's 95% sure I have cancer due to the hard masses and an elevated AFP level (the other two markers were ok). So we scheduled surgery. Fortunately the pain has reduced to tolerable in the meantime.

It's encouraging to know that so many survive this, but it sure sounds like it can be hard to get there. And it's hard to keep from thinking "what if I end up in the minority that doesn't make it..."

I don't know of anyone near me who's gone through this, so I thought I'd introduce myself here. My wife and our family and friends are supportive of course, and my kiddo is a welcome distraction, but it's really nice to know you all are here. Thanks for being here!

[JoeTheAstronaut]

Sorry to hear you're going through this, but hope the procedure goes well as it should and that this is the last you hear of it!!

[dcalandrelli]

Take it one step at a time! There’s a good chance after surgery you will be cured and if not the cure rate is still very high. I was where you were a year ago and I’m healthy now!

[Mike]

Welcome. Unfortunately, you are kind of in the hurry up and wait period that is full of uncertainties and that doesn't help the mind from wondering. if I was in your shoes I would expect nothing but a successful outcome but it is just a matter of how much crap you have to go through to get there. At this point we just can't even estimate it. Do you have any idea what your AFP level is? Did they do any CT scans/Chest X-Rays yet?

Getting the information you need to figure out exactly what is going on is going to trickle to you over the nest week or two so if it were me, I wouldn't worry unless the doctor tell you that you have something to worry about. I know that is easier said than done.

Surgery should be short and with a quick recovery. Just be sure to keep ice on the incision as that will help. If you are on narcotic pain relievers, then be aware that you may need a stool softener or laxative as they can be constipating. A little TMI tip, it hurt to cough and laugh after surgery and I feared the pain that would come when I took a crap but good news, no pain at all.

Keep us posted and we can help you along with each bit of information. If need be, (I am not sure where you live) we might be able to find a local survivor for you as well.

Mike

[biwi]

You are on the right track, keep your chin up and you will get through it!

[Davepet]

It's encouraging to know that so many survive this, but it sure sounds like it can be hard to get there. And it's hard to keep from thinking "what if I end up in the minority that doesn't make it..."

Sounds like you caught this early, there is no reason to start thinking the worst, in fact I believe a positive mental attitude is beneficial.

Just off my cuff, I'd estimate that a majority of guys these days are cured with the I/O or opt for a round of adjuvent chemo to be more sure. Certainly, it *can* be more difficult, but it's too early to go there right now. Lets get your AFP #'s, Path report from the I/O, & CT scan results & we will help you as best we can to navigate what's next.

Dave

[Wetro]

Hi Andrew. I had my surgery two weeks ago. Just focus on getting wife and work ready for time of surgery. After surgery relax. When the reports come take it from there.

[Andrew82]

Thank you all so much for your responses. They help more than I even expected.

Mike, you asked a couple questions. My lab report shows that the AFP was 13.6 ng/mL, and that the normal range is 8.3 or lower. From looking around on here, it sounds like 13.6 is still relatively low so maybe that's a good sign even though it also sounds like AFP can be tricky? And I haven't had a CT or chest X-ray for TC yet, although I did have both of those done in the ER about six months ago (we were looking for a potential blood clot), and they said both looked good.

I'll post an update after surgery and then post in the "recently diagnosed" section when we get the pathology report! Thank you again!

[Davepet]

An AFP of 13.6 is probably not clinically significant by itself, but the U/S results are. As I said before, you have likely caught this early. The I/O might be all you need.

Dave

[Andrew82]

That would certainly be great. Fingers crossed. Thank you!

[Trekga]

Until pathology, CT Scan/chest x-ray, and repeat bloodwork- you are in the waiting period everyone has mentioned. Fingers crossed that you will need just surveillance.

[Andrew82]

IO is done and went well! Now home in bed with ice pack. I'm told we'll have preliminary (cancer vs no cancer) results in a few days, at which point we'll schedule CT/Xray if needed. Full pathology report will be a week from Thursday.

[Andrew82]

Trekga, I'm very happy to see your son Grant is cancer free in his senior year! Thanks for your note!

[Jim79]

Hi Andrew,
I had my left radical inguinal orchiectomy last Thursday!!! Fun fun .urgh. 39. Adelaide, Australia. Found lump Dec17. Scan's in Feb showed it grew and got blood flow now.
I see my urologist that did the surgery, next Thursday, hopefully hw will have the biopsy results.
My lump was found early. It had vascularity, I had no positive blood results, I don't know what is likely to happen.
Im just hoping the lump is the only one in my body.
Good luck with your results buddy! I'll let you know how I go.

[JoeTheAstronaut]

Glad to hear I/O went well for you, Andrew and you too, Jim!! One thing out of the way, hopefully you won't need anything after this. Good luck with your results, get plenty of rest if you can!!